7 Trees with Small White Berries to Brighten Up Your Landscape

Trees and shrubs that produce white berries can add interest and beauty to any garden The contrast of vibrant white berries against rich green foliage is simply stunning White berries also provide an excellent food source for birds in late summer through winter when other fruits have been depleted. If you are looking to add a tree with lovely small white berries to your landscape, here are some excellent options.

American Dogwood

One of the most popular small trees that produces white berries is the American dogwood (Cornus sericea) This multi-stemmed, suckering shrub grows up to 10 feet tall and wide It thrives in moist soil and partial shade.

The American dogwood is prized for its colorful red twigs that provide great winter interest. It also has attractive green foliage that turns red-purple in fall. The tiny round white berries appear in late summer in clusters amidst the dark leaves. They persist into winter to provide food for wildlife. The berries are mildly toxic and should not be consumed by humans.

Red Osier Dogwood

Closely related to the American dogwood is the red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea). It shares the same spectacular red stems and grows to a similar size. This variety is known for producing slightly bluish-tinged white berries. The fruits form dense clusters at the ends of deep red branches, creating a dramatic contrast.

Red osier dogwood grows well in partial shade and moist sites. It can tolerate some drought once established. The suckering habit allows it to form dense thickets. It is excellent for stabilizing stream banks and requires minimal care when grown as an informal hedge or screen.

Tatarian Dogwood

Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba) is another small tree that produces abundant creamy white berries. This hardy, suckering shrub grows up to 10 feet tall. The oval green leaves turn reddish-purple in fall.

Showy clusters of white berries adorn the red twigs in late summer and fall. They may persist through the winter to provide food for birds when other sources are scarce. Tatarian dogwood grows best in moist, well-drained soil and partial sun.

Pagoda Dogwood

Also called Chinese dogwood, this small ornamental tree (Cornus alternifolia) gets its name from the distinctive horizontal branching that appears layered or tiered. The branches are covered with clusters of petite white berries in late summer.

Pagoda dogwood grows 15 to 25 feet tall and wide, performing well in part shade. In addition to the unique branching and white fruits, it has other appealing features. These include fragrant yellowish flowers in spring and purple-red fall color.

Coralberry

Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is a North American native shrub that produces masses of coral-colored berries. But there is also a white berry cultivar called ‘White Hedge’ that has spectacular snowy-white fruits instead.

This hardy, suckering shrub reaches up to 5 feet tall and wide. The small round berries on slender arching branches appear in fall and persist into winter. Coralberry grows best in partial shade but adapts well to full sun. It tolerates drought and many soil types. An excellent choice for native gardens that attract birds.

Snowberry

Another North American native, the snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is prized for its ornamental white berries. This spreading shrub grows 3 to 6 feet tall and can sucker to form colonies. Pairs of small rounded white fruits appear along the stems in late summer. They often remain into winter, looking like scattered snowflakes against the bare twigs.

Snowberry’s pink tinged flowers give way to white berries that attract birds. Slender arching stems add charm and movement. Easily grown in part shade to full sun, snowberry is low maintenance and trouble free once established. It tolerates poor soils and drought.

White Mulberry

The white mulberry (Morus alba) is a fast-growing deciduous tree that can reach up to 50 feet tall. One of its most prized features is the abundant crop of sweet white berries it produces in summer.

The white mulberry is native to China and valued for its edible berries. The fruits resemble blackberries in shape but ripen to white or pinkish-white. They have a pleasant, mild flavor that birds relish. In addition to the berries, the tree has attractive dark green, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall. It thrives in full sun and moist, fertile soil.

Add some easy elegance to your landscape with one of these trees that produce delicate white berries. They provide multi-season interest with their flowers, foliage, distinctive growth habits, and showy fruits. Best of all, you’ll have the joy of watching birds feast on the berries when other food sources are scarce.